PARKING charges are to be intrdouced at community hospitals in Leominster, Bromyard and Ross-on-Wye, health chiefs have revealed today.

Wye Valley Trust, which provides healthcare services in Herefordshire, said the charges will be at a reduced rate (compared to parking charges at Hereford County Hospital) and will reflect the cost of parking in the market towns.

It has described the decision as 'difficult' and said it had been made for several reasons, which are:

  • To even out the inequality between parking at the County Hospital site and parking arrangements at the trust’s community hospitals.
  • To cover the costs of maintaining car parks and contribute towards the Trust’s finances
  • To act as a disincentive to shoppers who currently abuse some hospital car parks by using them for free when they go shopping

Christian Homersley, head of estates, facilities and capital planning at the Trust, said: "We have considered the introduction of parking charges for several years but we feel the time is right to introduce the charges now.

“We’ve kept the charges low but hope they will act as a disincentive to dishonest motorists who we know currently abuse our free car parking, sometimes leaving patients without anywhere close to park.

“The decision will also iron out the inequalities which exist between the various sites and bring in money which will be used to help offset the Trust’s finances.

“The dire state of the Trust’s finances is well documented, and we’re sure that those using our services at our community sites will have some sympathy and understand and appreciate the rationale for the decision."

The car parks will become pay and display on Monday, July 10, and the cost of parking starts at £1 per hour, rising to £2.50 for four hours and £5 for 24 hours parking.

Parking concessions will be available for patients who meet certain criteria.

A staff parking permit system is to be introduced at the community hospital sites later this summer.